First job for new Hammers transfer guru? Replace Declan Rice! Tim Steidten is the man who brought stars to Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen and is now set for West Ham
- Tim Steidten is close to being unveiled as West Ham’s new technical director
- The German has brought young talents to both Werder Bremen and Leverkusen
- Steidten looks set to be tasked with spending money from Rice’s likely transfer
Chelsea interviewed him. Tottenham liked him. But West Ham are closing in on him. Tim Steidten is the newest technical director set for the Premier League.
Steidten was an unremarkable defensive midfielder in his playing days but as a recruiter, he grew into one of the game’s most admired administrators.
As a scout-turned-director for Werder Bremen, they signed Serge Gnabry from Arsenal, Thomas Delaney from Copenhagen and Davy Klaassen from Everton — not to mention bringing in Kevin De Bruyne on loan from Chelsea.
Steidten was snapped up by Bayer Leverkusen in June 2019 and oversaw an influx of young talent, from Moussa Diaby to Jeremie Frimpong to Edmond Tapsoba to Odilon Kossounou to Piero Hincapie, along with Xabi Alonso being hired as manager.
Steidten left Leverkusen in March 2023, sparking a race for his services, not least from Premier League clubs in need of such a slick operator.
Tim Steidten, left, is closing in on being appointed as West Ham’s new technical director
Edmond Tapsoba was among the young talented players Steidten brought to Bayer Leverkusen
Steidten was a guest of the club as West Ham triumphed in the Europa Conference League
As is becoming the norm in football, Steidten is fond of a data-led approach to scouting, feeling statistics should be used to narrow down the market because, to quote his fellow director at Leverkusen, Simon Rolfes: ‘It is not possible to see the whole world’.
Leverkusen have even looked into the use of ‘limb-tracking’ technology which can tell them how often a midfielder turns his head to observe what is around him. Whether that is wacky or ingenious, Steidten is an advocate of using tech to his advantage, sensing data should be used for much more than merely tracking the passes made by a player.
West Ham have long been envious of the money-spinning Brighton and Brentford models and now look to have sealed the deal for Steidten, with sources saying an announcement is close after the 44-year-old German apparently attended the Europa Conference League final in Prague as a guest of the club.
He has made it through several rounds of talks with West Ham, including meeting the manager, David Moyes. Moyes met with co-owner David Sullivan on June 9 for an end-of-season briefing in which they discussed the club’s next steps.
Moyes gave the appointment of Steidten his blessing while also confirming he intended to stay on as head coach ahead of the next season.
Moyes likes to have a significant say in signings and is known to be close to Rob Newman, the club’s current head of recruitment who joined from Manchester City in October 2021.
Steidten’s impending arrival is likely to dilute Newman’s role as he focuses on transfers — an area where West Ham’s top brass feel they have been falling short for too long.
Newman oversaw the acquisition of eight new signings last summer, some of whom have proven successful — such as £51million Lucas Paqueta — and others less so — like £35.5m Gianluca Scamacca. Nayef Aguerd was Newman’s first signing at £30m and then the defender was seriously injured in a pre-season trip to Rangers, summing up the luck needed with recruitment.
West Ham boss David Moyes gave the green light for Steidten’s appointment at the club
Steidten will have to spend money from Declan Rice’s likely transfer wisely to rebuild the team
There is immediate work to be done this summer. The Declan Rice money will be due — whether from Arsenal or Manchester City, not even they know yet — and that needs to be spent wisely as West Ham look to replace their classy captain in midfield.
Some will wonder what Steidten’s arrival means for Mark Noble but insiders insist his role as sporting director will not be impacted. Noble will continue to be the eyes and ears on the ground at West Ham, doing everything else that a director needs to do, from liaising with their ‘Academy of Football’ to suiting up for UEFA’s Europa League draw this September.
This is a significant summer for West Ham and, while there is a focus on Rice in the foreground, it is being kickstarted by the imminent hiring of Steidten in the background.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
